Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Pages: 1931-1941

Journal: European Journal of Applied Physiology

Volume number: 120

Issue number: 8

ISSN: 1439-6319

eISSN: 1439-6327

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04421-6

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Purpose Low vitamin D levels have been associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) in the general population. However, whether there is an association of vitamin D insufficiency with BP changes during maximum exercise in athletes is currently unclear. Methods A total of 120 male professional indoor athletes (age 26 +/- 5 years) were examined. BP was measured at rest and during a graded cycling test. We assessed the BP response (BPR) during maximum exercise and the respective load. BP and BPR (peak-baseline BP) were analysed with respect to 25-OH vitamin D levels, with levels < 30 ng/mL defining vitamin D insufficiency. Results 35 athletes were classified as being vitamin D insufficient. BP was not different between sufficient and insufficient vitamin D groups (122 +/- 10/75 +/- 7 vs. 120 +/- 12/77 +/- 9 mmHg). At maximum exercise, however, systolic BP (198 +/- 17 vs. 189 +/- 19,p = 0.026) and the pulse pressure (118 +/- 18 vs. 109 +/- 21 mmHg,p = 0.021) were higher in the sufficient group; the BPR was not different between groups (76 +/- 20/5 +/- 6 vs. 69 +/- 22/3 +/- 6 mmHg,p = 0.103). Athletes with sufficient levels had a higher maximum power output (3.99 +/- 0.82 vs. 3.58 +/- 0.78 W/kg,p = 0.015) and achieved higher workloads (367 +/- 78 vs. 333 +/- 80 W,p = 0.003). The workload-adjusted BPR (maximum systolic BP/MPO) was not different between athletes with sufficient and insufficient vitamin D levels (51 +/- 10 vs. 56 +/- 14 mmHg x kg/W,p = 0.079). Conclusion Athletes with sufficient vitamin D achieved a higher maximum systolic BP and a higher maximum power output. The workload-adjusted BPR was not different between groups, which suggests that this finding reflects a better performance of athletes with sufficient vitamin D.

Harvard Citation style: Bauer, P., Kraushaar, L., Doerr, O., Bauer, T., Nef, H., Hamm, C., et al. (2020) Association of 25-hydroxy vitamin D level with the blood pressure response to a maximum exercise test among professional indoor athletes, European Journal of Applied Physiology, 120(8), pp. 1931-1941. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04421-6

APA Citation style: Bauer, P., Kraushaar, L., Doerr, O., Bauer, T., Nef, H., Hamm, C., & Most, A. (2020). Association of 25-hydroxy vitamin D level with the blood pressure response to a maximum exercise test among professional indoor athletes. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 120(8), 1931-1941. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04421-6